salaryRent is higher than in 70% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $80,920 a year. That is $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Hawaii cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Hawaii. It is number 16 of 57 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Makawao?
Share of households by yearly income. 36.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Makawao
| Size | Makawao | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,869 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,666 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,130 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,226 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Makawao overall?
Everyday prices in Hawaii overall are 10% above the U.S. average (index 110.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Makawao, so the Hawaii figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Makawao
Life in Makawao
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Makawao?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,138 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $888,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $88,800 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Makawao, HI?
Renting in Makawao costs a median of about $2,023 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Hawaii median is $2,544.
How much do I need to make to live in Makawao?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $80,920 a year, or $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Makawao cheap or expensive?
Makawao is rated OK: rent takes 23.3% of the typical household income of $104,015. It ranks 16th cheapest of 57 Hawaii cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Makawao?
The median homeowner in Makawao pays $1,353 a year in property taxes, about 0.15% of the median home value.
Is Makawao more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Hawaii are 10% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Makawao?
The median home value in Makawao is $888,000, about 8.5 times the typical yearly household income.
7,353 people live in Makawao. Numbers are typical (middle) values.